Get In the Know With Kim’s Monday News & Headlines
Good morning on this World AIDS Day and Cyber Monday.
A former Ferguson police officer won’t be getting any severance pay. That’s Darren Wilson. Wilson has decided to resign from his position as an officer with the department. Mayor James Knowles says the suburb of St. Louis is moving on to other issues. One is to improve police involvement in the community. Knowles also announced plans to attract more minority recruits and increase incentives for officers to live within the city.
A group angry over the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting case is calling for nationwide protests today. “Ferguson Action” is encouraging people to leave work and school to hold rallies urging an end to police violence. The protestors want the demonstrations to take place across the country at 1 p.m. Eastern time.
President Obama will meet with members of his Cabinet and civil rights leaders today to discuss the events in Ferguson, Missouri. The White House says the president will also meet with elected officials and members of law enforcement.
Embattled NFL star Ray Rice and his wife Janay Rice are talking to NBC’s “Today” show about the day Ray Rice knocked his then-fiancee “Janay” out cold with a ferocious punch to the face in an Atlantic City casino elevator. The interview with Matt Lauer is airing in two parts on Monday and Tuesday. Click the media player below to listen to Mrs. Rice tell Lauer about the difficulty of staying silent regarding the incident:
Rice has been reinstated by the NFL and is now eligible to join any team in the league, should one want to hire him.
Some airline passengers who expected to be home Sunday following the big Thanksgiving weekend are still trying to reach their destinations. Weather conditions on the west coast complicated Sunday travel plans, with around 3,800 flights delayed nationwide.
Retailers are waking up to some lackluster Black Friday results. The National Retail Federation says spending over what is considered the biggest shopping weekend of the year tumbled eleven-percent compared to the same period last year. The number of shoppers also fell short of expectations with six-million fewer people than expected turning up for doorbuster deals. The focus now shifts to today’s Cyber Monday. Holiday shoppers have already spent more than $22-billion online this holiday season and today’s deep-discounts could help mark a banner year for eCommerce.
Here at home…
A recent audit reveals how a public employee embezzled money undetected for four years to fund his lavish lifestyle. Former Center Township CFO Alan Mizen was fired in 2011 and pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. Prosecutors say he used public money to buy a house in Zionsville, take exotic vacations, and buy almost $9,000 in jewelry. The audit says he got by because of a complete lack of checks and balances.
Today is December 1st which marks World AIDS Day and a $1-Million grant from the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis aims to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS by helping the Indianapolis community increase its efforts to test for the disease. Eskenazi Health is using this new funding from the foundation to provide rapid HIV testing at its various community health centers. Rapid HIV testing uses an oral swab and results are available within 20 minutes. Eskenazi estimates that about 40,000 patients will consent to the test over the next 14 months. Testing will be provided at their locations today.
A man and woman are expected to be okay after getting shot near a liquor store on Indy’s east side. Police say their car was shot up on Roosevelt Avenue. The victims knew the shooter.
A man struck by a car along I-465 is likely alive because of quick action by an Indiana State Police trooper. Officials say Latin McKinney and his sister were jump-starting his car on the emergency shoulder early Saturday morning when he was struck. Trooper David Ploog said McKinney was bleeding heavily from a lower leg wound, so he applied a tourniquet and dressed the injury. The man who hit McKinney was arrested for drunk driving.
SPORTS:
Colts owner Jim Irsay is pledging $1-million to the United Way. The money will support the organization’s “New U” campaign, which helps at-risk people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. The president of United Way of Central Indiana says Irsay is taking his “legendary” generosity to a new level by investing in their long-term commitment to improving community conditions for generations to come.
Before the Colts versus Washington Washington Football Team game-to-well after kickoff, members of the American Indian Movement gathered outside of Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday to protest the Washington Football Team’s controversial name. Organizers say it’s a racial slur. The Colts beat the Washington Football Team 49-to- 27.
FINALLY:
As the December 7th open-enrollment deadline for Medicare approaches, private insurers who offer Medicare Advantage plans are looking for customers. Since Medicare covers only 80-percent of major health expenses, it’s common for Medicare recipients to also have a supplemental private plan. Health insurance company experts say Medicare Advantage plans provide supplemental coverage and can also offer things like preventive care.
MONDAY’S INDIANAPOLIS WEATHER:
Cloudy skies this morning, becoming partly cloudy this afternoon. High 34 degrees.
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